Do you know the pains that might signal a serious condition? Find out more NOW!
We all experience pain from time to time, but when should you become concerned about it? Well, it depends. Sometimes you might have a headache, or maybe you’ve slept in a weird position, and now your back hurts. This is mostly normal, and you don’t have to worry.
But sometimes pains can be more than a passing inconvenience, and this is when you should listen to your body because these can be some pains that might signal a serious condition.
In this article, you will discover more about the pains you should never ignore, and we hope you will feel more prepared in case you experience something similar. Once you understand more about these red flags, you will be able to act fast and hopefully dodge a bullet.
1. Sudden eye pain
It is not unusual to get some dust in your eye or an eyelash, but if you experience sudden, sharp eye pain, we need to tell you that you should seek immediate attention. This is one of the pains that might signal a serious condition, and you can’t just ignore it.
Dr. Michael Hanak, who is a family medicine specialist, tells us that this pain can be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel, a detached retina, or, in the worst-case scenario, by internal bleeding.
Another condition that can cause sharp and sudden pain in the eye is acute glaucoma, which is caused when the pressure within the eye increases and reaches dangerous levels. Viral infections can also cause this type of pain. This is not as severe as other conditions listed here, but you should still visit the doctor.
Don’t ignore eye pain and consider it just a minor annoyance, as it can be a pain that might signal a serious condition. Better safe than sorry.
2. Leg pain
A sharp pain caused by a leg cramp is a common occurrence, and all of us have experienced it at least once. But what happens when the pain intensifies and it seems like it will not go away soon? Another question would be: what does it mean if the pain affects only one leg and becomes worse after a period of inactivity, such as in the morning after you wake up?
This is one of the pains that might signal a serious condition, which means you should never ignore it. This pain might be a sign of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a potentially life-threatening condition.
It is essential to be aware of DVT, and this means you should be careful about any calf or thigh that doesn’t go away, even if it’s not severe. This specific pain might resemble a leg cramp, but what makes it different is the fact that it tends to linger and get worse over time. DVT can also cause redness and swelling in the leg.
What makes DVT so dangerous is that if a blood clot dislocates and travels from the leg to the lungs, it will cause pulmonary embolism. This is a condition with life-threatening consequences, and this is why you need to be so careful.
3. Arm pain, jaw pain, or pain between the shoulder blades
These are some pains that might signal a serious condition, and women should especially be careful about them. While chest pain is a classic sign of a heart attack, arm pain, jaw pain, or pain between the shoulder blades can be symptoms of the same condition, but because not so many people experience them, no one talks enough about them.
The American Heart Association warns that unexpected pain radiating to one or both arms, the jaw, or even between the shoulder blades can be a silent cry for help from your heart.
At first, you might say that these aces are not related to one another and just ignore them, but this has the potential to be a lethal mistake. This radiating pain should never be ignored, and if you have any other symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting, immediately go to the ER.
In cases of severe pain between the shoulder blades, you need to be careful again because it might be a sign of an aortic aneurysm. This is another life-threatening condition, and it happens when the aorta bulges or tears. If you experience this type of pain, seek immediate medical attention.
Understanding these lesser-known signs may save your life, so always be on the watch.
4. Back pain with incontinence and pelvic numbness
We all get back pain from time to time, but did you know it is one of the pains that might signal a serious condition? Yes, and this is especially true if your back pain is accompanied by unusual symptoms such as numbness in the groin area and incontinence.
These pains, when they appear at the same time, can be a warning sign of cauda equina syndrome, which is a rare but serious condition. It is caused by the compression of the nerves at the base of the spine and can disrupt communication between your brain and the lower body.
Medical intervention is essential with this condition because if you don’t treat it, equina syndrome might become permanent, potentially leading to lasting problems with bowel and bladder control.
5. A powerful headache that doesn’t go away
Most of the time, a headache is not a cause for concern. They come and go without becoming a big event in your life. But if you experience a pain that is so strong that it incapacitates you, this is one of the pains that might signal a serious condition, neurologists say.
This “worst headache of your life” can manifest in various ways, from a stabbing, sharp pain to a pain so intense that you feel your entire skull explode. What we want to say is that if the pain is unlike anything you’ve experienced before, don’t ignore it and go to the ER.
There are also some other signs you should look for. If the headache is accompanied by weakness, changes in vision, and neck stiffness, these symptoms might indicate serious conditions such as a stroke.
For patients using blood thinners, an apparently small hit on the head might have devastating effects. Even minor collisions might cause bleeding within the skull, posing a life-threatening condition.
6. A minor wound that causes a lot of pain
Minor cuts, bites, and scrapes are an inevitable part of life, and we should not say a lot about them. But if such an insignificant wound causes you a lot of pain, this is one of the pains that might signal a serious condition.
This is dangerous and can happen if organic material such as splinters, dirt, or animal saliva gets trapped in the wound. This can cause a bacterial infection, and the worst part is that this infection can spread rapidly.
It is important to recognize the warning signs early, and this will help you avoid disaster. Look for intense pain, redness, swelling, and pus. These are clear signs of infection, and if you notice any of them, talk to your doctor.
If you want to find out your heart rate, this fingertip pulse oximeter might come in handy: Zacurate 500BL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor with Batteries Included
You should also read: Listen to Your Heart(beat): 9 Signs of Heart Failure Not To Miss
